Diabetes decisions — 2007

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his hypertensive heart disease with hypertension and diabetes mellitus with peripheral vascular disease and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including medical records from the Philadelphia VAMC.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim of service connection for Diabetes Mellitus, Type II, as secondary to exposure to herbicides.

The Board has determined that the veteran's HIV-related illness with AIDS and diabetes were not incurred or aggravated by service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to lack of new and material evidence, including a medical statement from Dr. Raju which did not establish a link between Agent Orange exposure and the causes of the veteran's death.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for type II diabetes mellitus, finding that his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on regulation of activities.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural defects in VCAA notice and for additional development of medical evidence.

The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for PTSD and Diabetes Mellitus, Type II were denied by the RO. The claim for PTSD was granted with an effective date of June 20, 2000.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for glaucoma as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus due to a lack of medical evidence showing a causal relationship.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus and osteoporosis are not considered to be a result of VA treatment, as they were likely caused by the long-term use of prednisone for his heart transplant.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus and secondary service connection for hypertension and kidney disease. The issue of service connection for kidney disease is being remanded due to the need for a medical opinion.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for the cause of death, eligibility to Survivors and Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits under Chapter 35, and entitlement to Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1318 due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and an increased evaluation for diabetes mellitus type II, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current disabilities and his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetic neuropathy and type II diabetes mellitus are not warranted, as his conditions do not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has granted a higher disability rating for anxiety neurosis, but the case is remanded to provide a statement of the case on the issue.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The VA examiner found that the service-connected conditions do not render him unable to work, when considering his age and other non-service connected conditions.

The veteran claims service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, which he attributes to exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. However, the evidence does not support a finding of service in Vietnam sufficient to raise the presumption of Agent Orange exposure.

The Board found that the veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim. His bilateral hearing loss issue is pending due to a lack of relevant records.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating of diabetes mellitus was denied, as the evidence did not show that his diabetes required more than a restricted diet and insulin.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for type II diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and treatment records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus, Type I, was manifest to a compensable degree within one year of his separation from active service and granted service connection for this condition based on its presumptive nature under VA law.